Fence-post



(No Model.)

M. B. GROVE.

FENCE POST.

No. 394,973. Patented Dec. 25, 1888.

n EH5. Photo-Lithograph", Wuhingloll. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL E. GROVE,'OE SHELDON, MISSOURI.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,973, dated December 25, 1888.

Application filed August 21, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL D. GROVE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheldon, in the county of Vernon and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following; is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in fence-posts; and it consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts, more fully hereinafter described, and definitely pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide a fence-post for barbed-wire,which will dispense with the use of staples or nails and admit of an easy and quick adjustment of the wires in a manner which will permit of their being connected and disconnected with the post with but little trouble.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide a post for barb-wire which will be strong and durable, admitting of a ready insertion in the ground, and cheaply manufactured.

I attain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a post; Fig. 2, a similar view of the reverse side of the post with the slide attached, and Fig. is an edge elevation showing the wings or flanges.

In the drawings, A represents a Hat metallic post having a pointed lower end, a, a broad base, a, and a tapering upper end, a This post is constructed of a single strip of flat metal of uniform thickness throughout its entire length. Circular apertures A are made at intervals through the metal of the upper portion of the post at points a short- (listance from the edge thereof. Leading into these apertures, at a point back of their centers, are downwardly-inclined grooves or channels D, which extend to the outside of the edge of the post.

0 representsa flat metal bar or slide, the thickness of which corresponi'ls to the thiekness of the post. This bar is removably and adjustably secured to the side of the post, its outer edge coming flush with the edge thereof,

Serial No. 283,376. (No model.)

while its inner edge occupies a position at the center of the post.

The bar 0 has an elongated slot, 0, cut in its upper end, and a bifurcation or groove, 0', formed in its lower end, through which pass bolts or pins D D, provided with nuts, their inner ends being secured to the post. The formation of this slot and groove admits of the bar C being moved up and down, the nuts on the ends of the bolts retaining the bar in its adjusted position, while the groove admits of aquick detachment of the bar by loosening only one nut. A series of apertures, d, are made through the metal of bar C at points registering with the apertures in the post when the bar is in its lowered position.

The front edge of the bar 0 is indented with a series of enlarged upwardly-inclined grooves or channels, (1, which lead into said apertures, thus forming downwardly-eXtending fingers or tongues (Z along the edge of said bar. These fingers (Z are so arranged that when the baris moved up they will come above the mouth of the grooves in the post, thus opening the said grooves and admitting the wire to be inserted therein.

It will be seen by this construction of post, its width being slight, that it would be unable to withstand any pressure placed on its edges and remain solidly vertical. in the earth. To overcome this and add to the general efliciency of the post, I place lateral wings or flanges E on each side of the post at its enlarged por- 3 tion, they being made integral with the said post. The lower edges of the wings E are tapered or inclined to their lower ends, sa1d edges being sharp, while the upper edges are 1 curved inwardlyor recessed from their upper points to their outer central edges, and are preferably blunt. of the post being readily inserted and rigidly held in place, the upper curved edge of the wings preventing the same from being easily withdrawn By forming the post of flat metal and arranging the baron its side a strong, rigid, and light post is formed. The openings in the post and bar registering with each other, the wire is permitted to pass freely through, thus preventing any binding or clamping of the same, which in posts of a somewhat similar This construction admits nature has heretofore been an objection, they injuring the wire.

To secure the wires in in y improved post, it is onl x neeessary to raise the slide or bar, thus opening the channels in the post, the entire channel and opening or aperture being; exposed, owing to the enlarged channels in the bar. The wires are then placed in the openings in the post and the bar allowed to slide down, thus retaining the wires in position.

Having thus deseribed my invention, whatl claim as new is A fence-post eonsisting of a single straight and flat piece of metal having apertures and channels leading into the same formed therein, a slide on the side oi the post, having apertures and channels leadinginto the same formed therein, registering with said other apertures, said slide also having an elongated slot 'fOlIl'lQCl in its upper end and an elongated groove formed in its lower end, bolts secured to the post and extending through said slot and groove, respectively, and flanges, as E, proj eetin laterally from the lower part of the post, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL H. GROVE.

'Witnesses:

W. T. Tow, I. H. W. DAVIS. 

